In the Film Room: Championship Saturday

Morris Claiborne was one of the prospects in focus last Saturday. (Photo: ICON SMI)

NEPD Staff Writer: Mike Loyko

With so many big time games and so many big time prospects in action last Saturday, I decided to scout individual players from multiple games rather than stick with one game.

I used this as an opportunity to get one last look at some prospects whom I may not have a good feel for or prospects I just wanted to watch a little more closely.

Case Keenum, QB, Houston-
Not tall, but exhibits good athleticism and mobility. Rolls out and throws accurately on the run. Wrs have dropped multiple balls a few which were walk in touchdowns. Delivery is quick and compact, has an over the top release and gets good zip on the ball. Definitely has an acceptable NFL caliber arm. Shows the ability to lead the WR and throw the ball to a “spot”. Showed good velocity on deep outs. Feels the pressure and seems to have an internal clock. Poster child for a system QB. Doesn’t take any snaps from under center. In the hurry up offense 90% of the time and throws the ball 90% of the time. Loves to throw to the RB. Had an awful red zone INT where he seemed to intercommunicate with WR. Will need to prove he is more than a product of the system. Has had multiple injuries including a torn ACL. Keenum is worth a late round pick and some team will use him as a developmental QB.

Sammy Brown, OLB, Houston-
Brown has a great looking frame, long arms with good muscle definition. Loves to come up field hard, explodes through the ball carrier or QB when he tackles. Solid against inside run plays, exhibits the ability to crash inside. Brown looks more natural standing up, so his natural position is likely to be 3-4 OLB. Good burst off the edge, needs to work on dipping his inside shoulder and ripping through. As the game went on I noticed Brown less and less. Seems to be a bit of a one trick pony right now, relying too much on his speed and explosion. Was exposed on run plays where he was over aggressive and ran up field unblocked. Play recognition will need improvement. Brown is a raw but very productive pass rush prospect. In a draft where there are few true edge rushers available Brown will likely be gone by round 4.

Patrick Edwards, WR, Houston-
Ultra productive, but small and thin WR. Edwards has good quickness and above average top end speed. Gets pushed around by physical CB and I think he will really struggle to get off jams in the pros. Plays in a lot of space and may struggle to fight for the ball. Only used on a few routes, primarily as a deep threat or quick passes. Edwards will be confined to the slot in the NFL. Edwards had a couple real bad drops vs. Southern Miss. Has a metal rod in his leg which will undoubtedly hurt his draft stock, much like it did to Mark Herzlich last year.

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor-
Wright is an explosive play making WR. Exhibits top end speed, legit 4.4. Gets off the line quickly and without impediment. Plays both outside and inside WR spots. Really solid hands, doesn’t let the ball get in on him. Tracks the ball in the air better than any WR I have seen this year, great body control when running route and going up for the ball. Eats up the cushion in the zone quickly. Has the ability to run through and passed the coverage. Scored a 64 yard TD on the first series of the game. Like most college WR his route running needs refinement, just needs to learn to run the entire route tree. Wright’s sky has been steadily rising and he might not get out of round 1.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor-
World class athlete, who possesses natural QB skills. Extremely accurate passer both in the pocket and on the run. Elite touch on his deep passes, drops the ball right over the shoulder. Creates plays with his legs and extends plays. RGIII is a much more natural a passer than other running QB like Michael Vick. Griffin keeps his eyes down field and sees plays develop. Doesn’t force many throws and waits until the play breaks down before scrambling. Possesses excellent awareness and poise in the pocket. Can make the difficult throw and throws the WR open. A playmaker, doesn’t always look right doing it but gets the job done. Griffin is very intelligent and a good student. Has shown remarkable improvement and has brought Baylor football to another level. If it weren’t for Andrew Luck, I think Griffin would be in the discussion for the #1 pick when April rolls around. If Cam Newton was able to go 1st overall, there is no reason Griffin couldn’t in a normal year.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU-
Without question the best CB prospect in this years draft. Always puts himself in good position. Doesn’t get beat. Stays on the receivers hip pocket, and exhibits good strength to hold up against physical WR. Good size for a DB standing at least 6 feet tall. Elite ball skills, anticipates routes and throws. High points the ball better than anyone in the country. Also has the ability to excel on ST and the return game. Nothing I have seen from him this year (which is over 9 games) tells me he won’t be a top 6-7 pick.

Markelle Martin, FS, Oklahoma State-
Martin is a highly rated safety, although I would like to see him make more of an impact. Doesn’t stand out on film. Has a good frame with good height and long arms. More of a center fielder, has the ability to cover a lot of ground. Misses a lot of tackles and doesn’t play overly instinctive. Martin’s stock is based on his athleticism and develop into a better football player. I have Martin ranked somewhere in the 3rd-4th round.

Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State-
Adcock is a strong and powerful tackle prospect. Exhibits nice flexibility in his legs, hips and knees. Stays balanced and doesn’t get over extended. Much better suited for RT. One of the better run blockers in the country. Aggressive off the line of scrimmage, simply over powers defenders by keeping his pads low and exploding off LOS. Has played both tackle positions. I would call him a patient pass protector. Can sometimes get caught flat footed, average footwork. Could struggle against speed rushers, but will make up for his average pass blocking with his way above average run blocking. Adcock is one of the most underrated OT prospects in this years draft class.